Blair's hat-trick secured a 4-2 victory for Eastleigh over Boston United at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday. The result gives the Spitfires back-to-back league wins and moves them up to 17th in the National League table with 15 points from 13 games, a record of four wins, three draws and six losses. This season they have scored 14 goals and conceded 20, leaving them with a minus six goal difference and a significant 20 points behind the league leaders.
Blair opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, only for Boston United to level from the penalty spot five minutes later through Lenell John-Lewis. Blair restored Eastleigh's lead almost immediately, finishing from an Bakare assist. The visitors hit back again through Rooney on the half-hour mark, sending the teams in level at the break.
Rankine put Eastleigh back in front on the hour, converting a pass from Dobson-Ventura. Blair then completed his treble deep into stoppage time, sealing the points with a goal assisted by Dickov. The win extends Eastleigh's recent form to two wins from their last five matches, a sequence that includes a 3-2 victory over Brentwood Town. Their last five results, starting with the most recent, are two wins, one draw and two losses, putting them on a two-game winning run. Prior to the wins over Boston United and Brentwood Town, they lost 2-0 to AFC Hornchurch and 3-1 to Woking, and drew 1-1 with Southend.
Up next
The focus now shifts to a midweek trip to face Forest Green Rovers. That match at The New Lawn kicks off at 19:45 on Wednesday. Forest Green currently sit one place and one point above Eastleigh in 16th, making it a key fixture in the lower mid-table scramble. The match away to Forest Green is scheduled for Wednesday 28 October.
The club confirmed an attendance of 1,918 at the Silverlake Stadium for Saturday's win, with 125 travelling Boston fans. Manager Louis Chadwick praised Nick Townsend's key contribution, stating, "Townsend's save on 57 minutes was the platform for us to go on and win." The result lifts Eastleigh to 15th in the National League with 18 points from 14 games, having scored 18 goals this season.
Manager Matt Gray has criticised the fixture schedule ahead of Wednesday's trip to Forest Green Rovers. Gray said he is "baffled" by the league's planning, citing the long journey to Barrow just three days later. The boss, whose side sit 15th with 18 points, said, "I'm not one to moan, but this league is hard enough as it is." He added the team must focus on mentality and shape for the two tough away contests.
The club confirmed that a Ken Aboh effort for Boston late in Saturday's 4-2 win was ruled out for handball. Manager Matt Gray said his side, now 15th with 18 points, must focus on mentality for the trip to Forest Green Rovers. He stated, "I'm not one to moan, but this league is hard enough as it is." The Spitfires are on a two-game winning run.
Boston United manager Paul Hurst made five changes for Saturday's early kick-off, the club confirmed. The Pilgrims were without the injured Connor Teale. The visitors pushed for a late leveller before Aaron Blair's stoppage-time strike sealed his hat-trick. Eastleigh, now 15th with 18 points, next face Forest Green Rovers away.
